Ocean wind systems, subsystems, and methods with stabilization by assemblies of deep-water-masses with articulating floats

Abstract

Methods and systems for operating a stable platform in a far-offshore deep-sea environment. The platform can advantageously be a wind power generation station. A structural framework carries (for example) the wind turbine in an elevated position. Multiple points on the floating structure are connected both to a surface float and to a deep mass (e.g. an enclosed volume of seawater).

What is claimed is, among others (and, without exclusion, in addition to any other point which are indicated herein as inventive and/or surprising and/or advantageous): 
     
       1. A floating wind energy system which does not need mooring, anchoring, tethering, nor seabed foundations, comprising: a structural framework which includes both lateral support beams connected together to form a substantially rigid polygonal structure, and vertical support beams each connected to extend between a respective part of the polygonal structure and a turbine support location; a wind turbine having a nacelle mounted to the turbine support location, a hub rotatably connected to the nacelle, multiple wind turbine blades mounted to the hub, and a generator driven by rotation of the hub; and a plurality of stabilizer subsystems mounted to the structural framework, and each comprising a stabilizing mass, and a float which is operatively connected to a stabilizer shell by a tension element, and which floats at the ocean surface; wherein the mass and the float, in combination, have a resonant frequency which is less than half the normal minimum frequency of waves where the system is positioned. 
     
     
       2. The platform of  claim 1 , wherein the stabilizing mass is a spherical shell filled with seawater. 
     
     
       3. The platform of  claim 1 , wherein the lateral support beams define a triangle. 
     
     
       4. The platform of  claim 1 , further comprising plural propulsion units mounted to the lateral support beams. 
     
     
       5. A floating wind energy system which does not need mooring, anchoring, tethering, nor seabed foundations, comprising:
 a structural framework which includes both lateral support beams connected together to form a substantially rigid polygonal structure, and vertical support beams each connected to extend between a respective part of the polygonal structure and a turbine support location; 
 a wind turbine having a nacelle mounted to the turbine support location, a hub rotatably connected to the nacelle, multiple wind turbine blades mounted to the hub, and a generator driven by rotation of the hub; and 
 a plurality of stabilizer subsystems mounted to the structural framework, and each comprising
 a stabilizer shell filled with water, and 
 a float which is operatively connected to the stabilizer shell by a tension element and a flexible joint, and which floats at the ocean surface above the stabilizer shell. 
 
 
     
     
       6. The platform of  claim 5 , wherein the lateral support beams define a triangle. 
     
     
       7. The platform of  claim 5 , further comprising plural propulsion units mounted to the lateral support beams. 
     
     
       8. A floating wind energy system which does not need mooring, anchoring, tethering, nor seabed foundations, comprising: a structural framework which includes both lateral support beams connected together to form a substantially rigid polygonal structure, and vertical support beams each connected to extend between a respective part of the polygonal structure and a turbine support location; a wind turbine having a nacelle mounted to the turbine support location, a hub rotatably connected to the nacelle, multiple wind turbine blades mounted to the hub, and a generator driven by rotation of the hub; and a plurality of stabilizer subsystems mounted to the structural framework, and each comprising a stabilizing mass, and a float which is operatively connected to the stabilizing mass by a tension element, and which floats at the ocean surface above a stabilizer shell; and propulsion units mounted to the structural framework, and operatively connected to receive power directly or indirectly from the wind turbine; wherein each of the stabilizer subsystems has a natural heave frequency which is less than the normal minimum frequency of local wave motion. 
     
     
       9. The platform of  claim 8 , wherein the stabilizing mass is a spherical shell filled with seawater. 
     
     
       10. The platform of  claim 8 , wherein the lateral support beams define a triangle. 
     
     
       11. The platform of  claim 8 , further comprising plural propulsion units mounted to the lateral support beams.